Building an AI Knowledge and Search Assistant

Important note: This training may demonstrate AI tools that are not approved for use with Stanford data. Inclusion in this session does not imply institutional approval. Participants should refrain from entering Stanford data into unapproved tools. An up-to-date list of approved and reviewed tools is available on the GenAI Evaluation Matrix page.

Code	Date	Delivery	Cost
ITS-1988	Thu Jul 9, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm	Live Online : 1 session	$340

Before each live online session, Tech Training will provide a Zoom link for live online classes, along with any required class materials.

Explore how to build a personal AI assistant that helps you search, synthesize, and surface information from your own documents and knowledge sources. Practice with tools designed to make your knowledge work smarter.

Lionel Levine

Dr. Lionel Levine is an independent educator and researcher specializing in the intersection of computer science, data analytics, and healthcare. Learn more about Lionel Levine

Program Description

Tools used in this workshop: Google NotebookLM and Perplexity. Participants will be given access to Perplexity Pro for the session.

Finding the right information quickly is one of the most persistent challenges in knowledge work. This three-hour session introduces learners to AI-powered approaches for organizing, searching, and synthesizing information from documents, notes, and other sources. Rather than relying on a general-purpose AI that knows nothing about your work, you will explore tools and techniques that let you bring your own content into the conversation. By the end of the session, learners will have hands-on experience building a simple AI knowledge assistant tailored to materials they actually use.

Learning Objectives

Learners will have the opportunity to:
- Explore how retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) and document grounding work in practical, non-technical terms
- Work with tools such as NotebookLM, Perplexity, or similar platforms to build a personal knowledge base
- Practice uploading, organizing, and querying your own documents using AI search tools
- Experiment with prompting strategies that help AI synthesize and summarize across multiple sources
- Explore options for integrating a knowledge assistant into an existing workflow or team process

Topic Outline

Topics:
- What makes an AI knowledge assistant different from a general-purpose chatbot
- Overview of tools: NotebookLM, Perplexity, and document-grounded AI platforms
- How retrieval-augmented generation works and why it matters for accuracy
- Uploading and organizing source materials for AI-assisted search
- Prompting for synthesis: summarizing, comparing, and extracting insights across documents
- Use cases: research support, onboarding documentation, policy lookup, and more
- Considerations for data privacy when working with institutional or sensitive documents

Credits

3 Professional Development Units (PDU)
0.3 Continuing Education Units (CEU
3 Professional Development Hours (PDH)
Stanford Technology Training Program Certificate of Completion Awarded

Custom training workshops are available for this program

Technology training sessions structured around individual or group learning objectives. Learn more about custom training

Special Group Rates

For groups of 5 or more within the same team or department, special rates are available. Please contact techtraining@stanford.edu for more details.

University IT Technology Training sessions are available to a wide range of participants, including Stanford University staff, faculty, students, and employees of Stanford Hospitals & Clinics, such as Stanford Health Care, Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley, Stanford Medicine Partners, and Stanford Medicine Children's Health.

Additionally, some of these programs are open to interested individuals not affiliated with Stanford, allowing for broader community engagement and learning opportunities.